Harry gripped his head as he went over the past few moments, trying to figure out what just happened. Kevin kept hissing in his ear, helping him to slow down his thoughts and recall everything clearly. It had definitely shaken him...but at the same time, he felt oddly good about himself. That had actually worried him, which was part of why he was going over everything to figure it out.
The crimson wraith that had burst from his wand had looked anything but pleasant. Beneath the tattered cloak, the image of decayed flesh wrapped in bandages was somewhat visible, and a gaping hole in place of a mouth. It had been facing away from Harry, so he hadn't seen its face beyond that, but after he'd heard one of the Professors comparing it to something called a 'Dementor'. Whatever it was, it had crossed the distance to Malfoy at startling speed, backhanded the spell he'd cast at Harry causing it to disperse into flickering lights and smoke, and then dove into Malfoy, seeming to infuse him as it vanished. Malfoy had dropped his wand, clutched at himself, and shivered as he sunk to his knees, seeming to gasp and try to scream as his eyes glazed.
The Professors had immediately swept the pair of them into the side room off the Great Hall where they'd waited to be Sorted on the first day of classes. As soon as they confirmed that Harry did not know what spell he had cast - he'd made it clear he wasn't consciously trying to cast a spell, just steel himself for the Duel to handle whatever happened - they began going over both him and Malfoy with every diagnostic spell they knew. What seemed to confound them all was that by the time they began examining, Malfoy's shudders had ceased and there was no sign any magic had been cast on him whatsoever...though he was looking at Harry in a new light, hints of respect, awe, and possibly a little fear in his gaze.
"Well, this leaves us in s-s-something of a q-quandary," Professor Quirrel spoke up, his stutter weaker than normal but still present. "Does anyone have any id-d-d-dea what happened?"
"It's rather plain that Mr. Potter managed to accidentally craft a new spell," Professor Snape drawled pointedly. "The issue is that it's left no residue to determine its nature or purpose. The fact it resembled a Dementor in manifestation is highly worrisome."
"I recognized the airburst when it formed," Professor Flitwick pointed out quickly. "It's the same sound as when a particularly strong Patronus is conjured. Not only that, the energy of the spell as it passed me by felt like a Patronus, but without the joy and wonder such constructs usually conjure. While it's somewhat vague, I can only conclude that it is a Charm that functions in a similar manner...though perhaps drawing on something other than joy?"
"A reasonable conclusion, given the available information," Professor Dumbledore allowed thoughtfully. "Still, there isn't really enough information to go on unless it can be repeated...?" He glanced thoughtfully Harry's way.
"I believe you can," Kevin whispered in his ear.
"Should I?" Harry whispered back in a hiss, doing his best not to move his lips as he spoke, not wanting to look like he was talking to himself or like he was speaking something other than English.
"I felt the magic leave you," Kevin pointed out encouragingly. "The short Professor is right in its similarity to a Patronus, and I can guarantee that it is not Dark Magic in nature. Nothing to worry about there."
"But what it did to Malfoy..." Harry murmured worriedly.
"Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall spoke up, coming up to his side. "Look at me." He met her eyes as instructed. "First, I want to reassure you that you are not in trouble for what happened." Harry blinked in surprise. "Technically, this falls into either new spell development or accidental magic, both of which are expected to happen here. At the same time, Mr. Malfoy has suffered no permanent harm, which means the spell was allowed by the terms of the Duel."
"In point of fact," Professor Flitwick added, "I feel safe in awarding Mr. Potter the victory, as the spell both deflected Mr. Malfoy's and caused him to drop his wand, rendering him unable to continue. Are there any objections to that?" He glanced around for answer. It was telling that two of the first head shakes to deny objections came from Malfoy himself and from Professor Snape.
"All we're doing now," Professor McGonagall continued, "is finding out what the spell was, and determining if it can be duplicated, recorded...and taught. The fact it deflected - and destabilized - an offensive spell without losing any cohesion or impetus suggests it has the potential to be a very potent Charm. Are you willing to cooperate with us on this?"
Sighing, Harry nodded. "I...I'll try," he agreed.
Professor McGonagall nodded firmly, reaching to give him an encouraging pat on the head...though stopping with a frown when she noticed him flinching instinctively away from it. Pulling back, she schooled her features. "Now then...first, tell us what was going through your mind. What were you focusing on when the magic erupted?"
Harry took a breath, let it out, and inhaled once more before speaking. "I was thinking about why I was there," he said calmly. "Everything I'd been through, what had brought me to that moment, why I'd made the choices I did...and why I wouldn't back down."
"Ah..." Professor Flitwick breathed, his eyes alight. "Determination! That explains why I felt unwilling to get between the spell and its target when it passed me by, very much akin to the sensation when Minerva's charging to the Hospital Wing when she's heard something's happened to one of her Lions..." He smiled somewhat impishly. "I imagine I give off a similar air when worried for my Eagles. I know for a fact Serverus gives it off quite strongly when his Snakes get into trouble." He glanced at Professor Snape side-on, getting a glower and sneer in return.
"So Mr. Potter has managed to craft a variant of a Patronus that feeds on Determination," the dark-haired Professor observed dourly. "Assuming it can be duplicated. But a Patronus does not dive into a target, even when not used on a Dementor. Why did this?"
"He..." Malfoy began, drawing eyes. "He wanted me to know...why he wouldn't back down..." He still seemed shaken, but he was plainly recovering. He didn't have the haughty air from before. "It was...an experience..."
Professor Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Forgive me if I am misinterpreting, Mr. Malfoy...but are you saying the spell made you experience what Mr. Potter went through in his past that led up to the duel?"
"A...all of it..." Malfoy murmured, lowering his gaze. "...way too much..."
The Headmaster stroked his beard thoughtfully. "...Harry, do you think you could cast it again?" he asked calmly.
"I...I'm not sure..." Harry began uncertainly.
"You can," Kevin hissed into his ear. "I believe I know the wand motions you should do...and I can feel the words waiting to come out. Your magic knows this spell, it wants to cast this spell...and you don't need to be afraid of doing so."
Harry let that roll over in his mind, then nodded. "I...I think I can," he confirmed aloud for the Headmaster.
"Then I would like you to do so...and cast it on me," he stated firmly, causing everyone to back up in surprise.
"Headmaster?" Harry asked in surprise.
"But Albus, why?" Professor McGongagall demanded incredulously.
Seeing the same question in Harry's eyes, the old man lowered his gaze. "Mr. Potter...Harry...I am your magical guardian." Harry blinked in surprise at that, though the other teachers didn't seem so. "It was my decision to place you with your relatives after the loss of your parents," he continued, making Harry's eyes narrow even as Professor Snape sneered and Professor McGonagall glowered. "If unforeseen consequences of that decision have caused problems for you...I need to know what they are. As the one who made those decision, it's my responsibility to see them addressed."
Harry's whole body tensed. There was no anger as there had been when facing Malfoy, but...that feeling of focus returned as he stood, his feet spread to give him as firm a stance as he could muster. As the other teachers - seemingly without thinking about it - moved back to make room, Harry's wand lifted.
"A perfect circle starting from the top, representing the entirety of your being," Kevin whispered intensely. "Then pull back and thrust through the center, to strike with all of you."
As Harry drew the circle in the air before him, the words came of their own accord as the memories - the Determination - came to the fore. "Dematio..." He pulled his wand back and thrust through the center of the circle - aimed right at Dumbledore - as he spoke the rest of the incantation. "...Invocus!"
Once more the airburst heralded the crimson wraith-like figure's appearance. However, unlike before it did not lunge for the target. Instead, it floated almost serenely to hover before the Headmaster. It then reached out and grasped the old man's shoulders as he stood and stared into its face...and then leaned forward and exhaled a crimson mist that flowed into him through his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Albus stood there as it happened, his eyes glazed slightly. Eventually, the mist ended, and the figure dispersed into crimson motes of light that slowly faded. Dumbledore gave a few coughs as he came back to himself. "A...harrowing experience indeed," he offered sorrowfully. "And I know why it takes the shape of a Dementor."
"You do?" Professor Flitwick asked curiously. "Why?"
"I believe that is unfortunately due to Harry's circumstances," he offered apologetically, turning his sympathetic gaze towards the young boy, all the guilt he felt plainly visible behind his eyes. "It is because of all the thoughts and memories that give him the Determination to shape the spell...there is no joy in them."
Professor Flitwick's smile faded. "Yes...if the shape is determined in a way similar to how the Patronus takes shape...that would explain it..."
Professor McGonagall seemed to be resisting something, but Harry wasn't certain what.
"She wants to give you a comforting hug," Kevin observed sympathetically. "But she saw you flinch from the encouraging headpat...and between that and what's been said now, she's worried what she intends as a gesture of affection and comfort might frighten you."
"Well...it's getting on," Professor McGonagall finally managed to say. "You two get back to your seats and finish breakfast. We have a lot to discuss."
Nodding, Harry stood by and let Malfoy go first. The blonde paused before passing him, hesitating just a moment...and then Draco gave him a respectful nod before making his way out the door. Harry turned to follow.
"Mr. Potter," Professor Snape spoke up just before he passed him. "What you did today - both out there and in here - took a great deal of spine." One eyebrow quirked upward. "Where was it when I first addressed you in Potions class?"
Harry paused at that...and found himself smiling as the perfect answer came to him. "Where do you think I grew it, Professor?" he offered warmly.
Professor Snape's other eyebrow rose...and a brief smile touched his face before he smoothed his features. With a nod, he let Harry go on as he turned to consult with the rest of the staff.
As Harry reached his seat, he saw Hedwig waiting for him with a note clutched in her beak. Curious, he took it and opened it as he handed her some sausage as a thank you treat. He quickly recognized it as Fred and George's handwriting, even if it was only a simple message.
It's ready.